Police said numerous dead were found clustered at the back of the factory, suggesting they tried in vain to flee the flames.

Witnesses said there were two explosions, both of which could be heard miles away.

In addition to the dead, at least 46 people, some with serious burns, were taken to hospitals, the police said.

All the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The factory, part of a complex that borders a residential area, had only been operating for six weeks, district government official Toni Rustoni told Metro TV. She says the female staff were mostly casual workers without contracts.

Guj Polls: Hardik Patel's key aides join BJP
Solanki said Thakor met Gandhi with his "team" and made a decision to join the Congress in the interest of Gujarat. Congress managers claimed Hardik had agreed to lend tactical support to them without entering into a formal pact.

Einstein note on modest living sells for $1.56 mn
Almost 100 years later, the bellboy's nephew contacted the auction house in Israel to put the notes up for sale. Einstein's note about his theory of happiness exceeded the pre-auction estimate of between $5,000 and $8,000.

Zero auto and motorcycle growth from February 2018
The island city-state also vowed to invest heavily in public transportation to help the city's growing population get around. The annual vehicle growth rate for goods vehicles and buses will stay at 0.25% until the first quarter of 2021, LTA said.